Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1887-03-25
TO.DAY'S MEETING.
1T WAS PERFECTLY HARMONIOUS
THROUGHOUT.
The Trustees Answer Every Question
Satisfactorily, and all In Attendance
Seem Agreed that the Tax Should Be


Seem Agreed that the Tax Should Be
Voted.
The meeting held in the courthouse
this afternoon was called to order by
James II. Warren, at $3.50 o'clock.
l. N. Sullivan and II. Lufkin, the other
School Trustees, were also present,
besides about sixty representative
citizens.
Mr.. Sullivan explained the object
OF the meeting. He said the Trustees
were glad to See the interest mani.
tested in this matter. Their books
and records were open to the inspec-
ton of any and everybody. If, after
full understanding of the matter,
the taxpayers chose to vote the tax
down, we'll and good. The Trustees
were not determined to force this tax
on the people; but they did recon-
mend its adoption as necessary to
keep the school open. The Trustees
had statement from Mr.. Burkett.
manager of the bank here, who had
handled all the money, and only
paid it out on warrants drawn by the
Trustees. He then recited all steps
taken in connection with the con-
struction of the schoolhouse; how
it was let to the lowest bid
der, and how 20 per cent. of all
work done remained unpaid, as
per the terms of the contract
The delay in the completion of the
building was explained. At the out
set 80 days delay occurred in securing
suitable rock, and the foundations had
to be made wider than required by
the specifications. The lowest bid
they could get on the brick was $40
per thousand. They are the best that
can be made in this country. The
Trustees might have completed the
building sooner than the contractor
has finished it, but they could not
have done it for the same contract
price.
Mr.. Hunter is, however, not settled
with, and any questions arising from
the delay can be considered when
the building shall be turned over.
The Superintendent services had
cost $1,000, owing to delay, when they
should not have cost over $500. Over
$4,000 of the fund has been expend-
ed and $1,000 to $1,000 is still needed to
complete it. The buildings cost was
only $500 or 5000 more than it was
originally expected to cost. Unless the
tax was voted, the Trustees having
no authority to run the district in
debt, work on the schoolhouse would
stop tomorrow, as the funds on hand
would do no more than pay for what
is done to date.
The revenue of the district was
less than for 1885. In that year it
was $4,000 or $250O; for the 1856 year
it was only $500 to $1,000 to date.
And the question to decide was
whether the work on the schoolhouse
should stop? OF the amount of the
tax about $1,000 would complete the
schoolhouse, and $1,000 would go to.
ward paying the school expenses
leaving about $1,000 in the treasury
to begin school with next fall.
The schoolhouse will accommodate
400 pupils, while there are only 800
in the district; but the citizens wished,
and properly, TO have a larger build
ing than was needed at present.
George A. Black, Texas Angel, A.
+. Montandon and others asked ques-
tons regarding the "extras" on the
building, estimates of the superin-
tendent, etc., which were readily and
satisfactorily answered. Thomas Bell
receives 800 per month from the
Trustees as superintendent, aud also
gets paid for his work by Contractor
Hunter at the rate of so cents per
hour-tut only for a few days, how
ever.
P. M. Bruner said the PROPOSE
ton had resolved itself to this: unless
the tax was voted, work on the build
ing would stop and the school be
closed. This was spring, the best
time in the year to hold school, when
new population is coming in. The
building would have to be finished in
the end, anyway, and he, although a
small taxpayer, was willing to pay the